The first step in solving a problem, whether on the physical, emotional, or spiritual level, is letting go of worry. Worry only perpetuates the problem, serving to focus you on the wrong things. It allows the problem to stay, instead of allowing peace.

“Let go of worry” is one of the Reiki principles that I most often remember in my practice, and I have seen that letting go of worry, while focusing on the positive results one desires, has worked miracles in my client’s lives. The most common effect I have witnessed is that, when a person gets up from the massage table after a Reiki session, they are infused with a profound sense of peace and calm. They feel balanced and harmonious, with a sense of being better able to deal with the problems of their lives.

Reiki is a hands-on healing technique that is derived from an ancient Tibetan healing system that utilized Sanskrit symbols to activate the healing process. It was rediscovered by Dr. Usui in the late 1800's, who passed the Reiki system on to Dr. Hayashi in Japan. Dr. Hayashi, in turn, passed the knowledge of Reiki to Hawayo Takata, a Hawaiian woman who had come to his clinic in Tokyo to be healed. She is the one who served as the conduit of Reiki to the Western world. Since that time, Reiki has changed and evolved, and is now reaching more and more people. My desire is to share Reiki with as many people as possible, because it is a healing technique that is so comprehensive and powerful, yet easy to practice. Even children can learn to do Reiki.

So how does it work? First, the word itself must be understood. Reiki is a Japanese word. “Rei” translates to mean “”Spirit, Soul, Universal God”; the further implication being that this Higher Intelligence or God Consciousness guides the creation and function of the universe. The translation of “Ki” is “life force energy”. “Ki” is the non-physical energy that animates and permeates all things, and it is necessary for the harmonious and healthy functioning of the body and all its systems. This life force energy that works with a Higher Wisdom can be channeled through one’s hands with the intent to heal. Reiki energy flows where it is needed, creating the healing condition required by each individual at that time. The practitioner does not heal by herself, but serves as the facilitator of this healing force.

Reiki differs from other laying-on-of-hands systems in that one must receive a series of attunements from a Reiki Master in order to activate the energy. This is somewhat akin to turning on a light switch. The electricity is always flowing, always available, but the light will not illuminate until we walk over to the wall and turn the switch to the “on” position. While everything that has life has Ki flowing through it, receiving a Reiki attunement connects the receiver to the limitless supply of Ki in an increased way. The attunement is what creates the healer. There are three Degrees in the Reiki system, and with each Degree, the practitioner’s ability to channel this energy is increased.

Reiki energy works on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. It is not a religion or a philosophy, nor does it require a particular background to learn. Anyone who has the desire to heal can learn Reiki. We all have an innate capacity for health at every level of our being. Both giving and receiving Reiki are gifts of wholeness and harmony that are well worth having in our increasingly complicated lives.